Ukiah’s Tellstrom wins NSMS opener
Defending series champion also breaks qualifying record at Shasta Speedway
After setting a new track record on Shasta Speedway’s one-third mile oval, 2020 North State Modified Series (NSMS) champion Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah took the lead away from Dustin DeRosier of Cloverdale on a lap 31 restart and led the second half of the 60-lapper to lay claim to the 2021 NSMS season opener in Anderson.
The North State Modified Series is presented by Protect the Harvest.
Qualifying
The previous track record of 16.230 seconds was held by Scott Winters of Tracy. The top five qualifiers turned laps under that previous record, including Tellstrom (16.064 ), Winters (16.100), Cameron Austin (16.123), Ian Elliott (16.160) and Randy Houston (16.166.)
Main event
Tellstrom drew No. 6 to set up the lineup for the main event, which put DeRosier and Houston in the front row, Elliott and Austin in row two, and Winters and Tellstrom in row three. DeRosier pulled out in front at the drop of the green flag with Elliott driving under Houston for second. Winters swapped places with Austin on lap four, and the following round Tellstrom drove under Austin for fifth.
Houston gave Elliott a shot in the rear on lap 11, but Elliott did not falter and retained second place.
Simi Tour’s car developed mechanical problems and dropped out on lap 17 as the field ran nose to tail. Next it was Houston’s car developing problems, which forced him to the pits on lap 21. This put Winters in third behind DeRosier and Elliott. Four rounds later Winter’s car lost power and stalled on the back stretch. At the same time, Darrin Sullivan’s car quit, stalling out on the front stretch to bring out the first yellow flag. Winters got his car going again, but Sullivan’s run was over.
Elliott was on the outside of DeRosier for the restart when DeRosier once again shot out in front. Tellstrom dove under Elliott for second. The race was slowed again at the halfway mark for a spin by Foryst Souza, driving the Sal Lopez No. 2 car. At the same time, Austin retired his No. 7c to the pits.
When racing resumed, Tellstrom and DeRosier ran side by side, but it was Tellstrom out in front by a nose when the race was slowed again after Rich Cobb and Charlie Collins touched, causing Collins to spin in turn four.
DeRosier lost ground in the outside lane on the restart, allowing Winters and Elliott to take over second and third, respectively. The final caution came on lap 37 for another Souza spin. With only 11 laps to go, DeRosier’s car developed problems and he drove it to the pits.
Winters and Tellstrom ran bumper to bumper the final laps, and at the Sunoco checkered flag it was Tellstrom, Winters, Elliott, Keith Bloom, PJ Pedroncelli, Collins, Mike Neilson, Cobb, Souza, and Kylei Keown.
DashforCash
DeRosier was the $100 winner of the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash. Cobb finished second to collect $50. DeRosier and Cobb also took home the Scribner jugs. The Naake Shocks Hard Charger award went to Keith Bloom for passing the most cars.
Schedule
The next stop for NSMS is the Madera Speedway on May 8. Lucas Oil tow money goes to the top 15 drivers who attend this race.
Sponsors
NSMS is sponsored by Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Sullivan Construction and Masonry, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Mark & Sharon Baldwin, Scribner Plastics, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Mort Houston, McMurray & Sons Roofing and Frank’s Radios.